When preparing for unexpected fire emergencies, don’t forget to consider your furry family members. First Alert, a leading manufacturer of home safety products, offers the following tips to help prevent and be prepared in case of fire:

Prevent a fire

– Don’t burn candles unattended. Wagging tails and pawing kitties can haphazardly knock over candles. To help prevent fire incidents, consider flameless candles for added ambiance.

– Avoid electrical fires by securing loose wires and running long cords behind couches or other out-of-reach locations to prevent them from being chewed.

Prepare for a fire

– Equip your home with the proper number of smoke alarms. The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing alarms on every level of the home and inside every bedroom. Test alarms regularly and replace alarm batteries every six months. Or, to eliminate the need for battery replacements, upgrade to 10-year sealed battery alarms.

– When away, use a pet gate to keep your animals in the main living area for easy rescue in case of an emergency.

– Put pet alert stickers on windows near each entrance to inform firefighters of the presence of pets in your house. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets.

– Have an emergency escape plan. Know which family members will be responsible for each pet and note their hiding spots for faster evacuation. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year, including crating your pets, to help make it an easier experience in an emergency.

Escape a fire

– Have leashes and collars stored near the main entrance of your home and, if possible, near other potential exits during an emergency, so you can grab them on your way out the door.

– Never delay escape or go back inside to rescue your pet. If a pet is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call and the responders when they arrive.

Learn more home safety tips at firstalert.ca.